Why are some people religious and others aren't?

Question

My faith/church/religion is a huge part of my life. I love church and I love God. I cannot imagine my life without this, it brings me so much peace and comfort. I have recently realized that a very good friend of mine, for whom I have a lot of respect and admiration is pretty opposite of how I feel. She is spiritual but doesn't have a belief system/church and doesn't like dogma. But I feel that there is so much more than dogma.

I do not want to be pushy or try to force my religion on her at all, I do not want to try to convert her by any means, I am not even completly sure of what I believe!! So I don't know how to ask why she feels this way without being offensive. I think that maybe there's not an answer that is easy, the reasons why religion is so important to me are not that easy. I just truly do not understand and really want to. Please tell me what your thoughts, opinions, and personal experiences are on this.

Answer 1

When you are raised in a religious family, it is a part of your life. When you are not, it tends to not play such an important part in your life. Even those who did go to church as a child may later find that they don't feel a need or a desire to do so anymore. There really is no one explanation, as everyone is different. God gave us all free will and we all choose to use it differently. You choose to attend church and your friend chooses not to. Everyone has different desires and needs in their lives and they need to be fulfilled differently as well. Ask your friend why she feels the way she does, but be patient, and accepting of her reply. Do not judge her even if you don't like her answer.

Answer 2

Mostly because it is of personal choice and upbringing. I know ppl that go to church everytime the doors are open. I know others that never go.
If your not sure what you believe then why don't you reseach other faiths? There could be something you find you believe much more.

" In ages past, our old ones were the storytellers. This was the way things were passed along to the generations that followed. For this reason the aged people made it a point to remember every detail so they could relate it at a later time. They were the word and picture carriers making history and spirtual values alive and important. In recent times we have made our old ones think they are not so important. We spoof their stories and make them feel foolish. The truth is that we are ignorant of what is precious and how to 'a da li he li tse di -- appreciate age. Rigidity can creep in and set even the young mind if there are no soft memories, no laughter, no times too deep for tears. Age is grace -- a time too valuable to waste." A Cherokee Feast of Days - Daily Meditations, Joyce Sequichie Hifler

Answer 3

I think that it has something to do with where you live in the world and what your parents believe. If you were born in Arabia you would be a Muslim, if you were born in the UK you are probably an unpracticing 'Church of England', if you are born in Asia you would more than likely be Buddhist, and finally if you are born in America you are probably Christian, especially in the southern states.

So where in the world you are born denotes what God you should believe in. So what makes the God you believe in the one and only right God?

I for one don't believe in a God but I respect peoples choice to believe in what they believe in as long as they don't preach or try and convert you.

Why don't you just ask her what her beliefs are, I am sure if she is your friend you can have a nice discussion about it.

Have fun.

Answer 4

It isn't because I was born and raised into it...that's for sure...I love the Lord because when I was at the bottom...He rescued me...He loved me where I was...in all it's ugliness...He took me as I was...He has been patient with me when I stumble...He loves me when I think I am wise but do really dumb things....I look back every year and see the quiet growth that he has instilled in me...in such a way I didn't even see it happening...I go to church...missing a few here and there...but it certainly isn't the focus of my relationship with Christ...He is the focus...I couldn't imagine life without him...feel bad for those that suffer difficulties without having him to lean on...Be Blessed.

Answer 5

that's just the way it is.

Let people take controll of their own lifes, if they don't want to be religiouse, there IS more to life ya know.

I am the same way, I am spiritual, but not a spacific sect.
She probably feels this way becuase religion is man made. Men create wars, and bloodshed.
You can believe in god wihout sitting behind bricks.
I can go home and pray with it being JUST as effctive without being in church.

I choose to foloow GOD's path, not man's.
You can have a deiscussion with her, without trying to convert. and if she is spiritual, than most likely she's got an open mind.
Just start talking. it'll come.

Answer 6

My best friend is a total non-beliver. I'm a God loving women myself. I never discuss it with her but do let her know if she had any questions I would be happy to share. She does get very offended when someone questions her about it so I wouldn't do that. Her thinking is about herself - she doesn't want to put her faith in anything she can't see or can't take care of herself. I think it has to do with her mom & dad's divorce and other relationships she has had. I just try to be a good friend and she is a good person.

Answer 7

I think it is primarily a matter of how self-secure one is and how well they dealt with the anxiety of parental separation. i can tell you from recent experience of my girlfriend deciding to avoid her Baptist friend that if you proselytize, be prepared to lose your friend. It just plain patronizing for you to assume because she doesn't share your zeal that she hasn't given the matter serious thought. What Baptist girl found when she lit into my girlfriend is that my girlfriend was educated by Jesuits and knows more about Baptist girl's faith than she did. As my girlfriend said, "It wasn't pretty and it wasn't friendly. Who does she think she is to talk down to me and tell me I don't know anything about Jesus because I was raised Catholic?"

If she brings it up it's fair game right? But for you to remain friends means you must remain equals, and if you take on the spiritual mentor role, that will change.

Answer 8

God gave us the freedom of choice, thats one of the things that sets us apart from other animals. God loves all of us no matter how bad he was. That is why he sent his son. However some people prefer to avoid God and religion all together, considering themselves an athiest. It is a right that God has given us. I know many people that have not accepted Christ as their savior and it is amazing to me how they survived. I would be nothing with out Christ. Some times it is hard for me to communicate with them since we have different veiw points of ceritan subjects. God has given us a desire to be with him and others have decided to try and fill it was something else. so it is by choice that either you are religious or not.
Hope this helps

God bless America
K.K.

Answer 9

People need to walk their own paths and do what is right and comfortable for them. To force religion on someone only makes them turn away more. Which is why we should live our beliefs as proof and not preach alot and do the opposite.

Answer 10

It could even be partly genetic/physiological. Some have postulated a center of the brain that gets active when people have religious experiences. It may be that this part of the brain varies in the intensity of its responses.